Fury at BBC over 'irresponsible' drinking scenes in Holby City

By PAUL REVOIR

Last updated at 22:23 03 March 2008

The BBC has been criticised for its "irresponsible" portrayal of binge drinking in its top dramas.

Baroness Coussins, a peer who sits on the Advertising Standards Authority council, claims the corporation is failing to show the negative effects of abusing alcohol in shows such as EastEnders and Holby City.

Speaking at an advertising conference, Baroness Coussins said: "Holby City had doctors, no less, in excessive drinking scenes.

"Where are the calls for BBC programming codes, or the equivalent in the commercial sector, so the consequences of irresponsible actions have to be shown?"

In October, the Portman Group, which was set up by alcohol producers to promote responsible drinking, complained to media regulator Ofcom that an episode of the hospital drama Holby City had been "highly irresponsible".

The programme showed two medics "downing" five shots of tequila in a bar after a difficult day at work.

The body accused the BBC of a "highly irresponsible portrayal of rapid and excessive drinking" and of implying that drinking would lead to a sexual encounter.

At the time, the Portman Group's chief executive, David Poley, said: "We appreciate that programme makers want to mirror some aspects of real life but they should avoid the encouragement of harmful, rapid and excessive drinking.

"We would not advocate censorship nor deny stories of alcohol misuse can be used to positive effect.

"But in this case, the characters drank far too much and the harmful consequences were not shown."

Charities have also previously hit out at specifically at soap operas, which they have accused of a widespread glorification of drinking.

And yesterday, John Beyer, of pressure group Mediawatch UK, pointed out that two of the most popular soap operas on TV - EastEnders and Coronation Street - are mostly set in pubs, adding: "The Baroness has a point. But the question is, what are the broadcasters going to do about it?

"The problem is that they never seem to want to do anything about anything other than to carry on with their own agenda."

He added: "Soaps are so popular with young people and it is mostly young people with disposable income that are binge drinking."

A BBC spokesman said neither EastEnders nor Holby City set out to "glamorise" alcohol but intended instead to "reflect society".

A spokesman claimed the corporation always tried to handle the issue "sensitively" and said it did in fact show the negative consequences of alcohol.